i need some help!
my boys play hockey. they love it. they live for it. it works because the local rink is about 8 blocks away. :) imagine the horror when we found out our local skate rink changed hands and isn't doing a fall hockey session. horror! it was bad.
what are the boys going to do while we wait for the winter session? have are three alternatives.
1) inline hockey at a different rink [con: it takes an hour during rush hour traffic to get there three times a week]
2) ice hockey [con: it is a couple thousand per boy, but goes until april so we don't have to worry about fall and spring sessions]
3) football [con: most leagues started in july so the boys will have missed team formation, bonding and over a dozen practices]
i honestly can't figure out which is the biggest con; the travel, the money or being the lowest priority on the team. gah! i need help. parents, which option would you choose for your kids?
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
confession
this confession isn't going to shock anyone.
i am a slacker.
it feels good to throw it out there. get it off my chest and out in the open. i know that i know. you know that i know. now i know that you know. hopefully there is some karma in there.
i have an obstacle course run in two weeks that i have done absolutely nothing to prepare for it. 3 miles. 11 obstacles. mud.
am i likely to have fun? probably.
am i likely to find other slackers as unprepared as i am? possibly.
am i likely to want to do another one? maybe.
am i likely to complete all the challenges? probably not.
this morning, i set out to prove to myself that even without training, i would still be just fine. that i could do 20 push-ups no problem. at 7, i fell on my face in a heap of disgrace. disappointing, to put it mildly. at least i did the army crawl convincingly enough that my dog joined in. (or maybe i looked so pitiful, she just felt sorry for me. i am not going to speculate.)
what can i do in the next two weeks to get me ready for an obstacle run? any super-human tips to be able to do a pull-up by then?
**do you have any fitness confessions to make?
i am a slacker.
it feels good to throw it out there. get it off my chest and out in the open. i know that i know. you know that i know. now i know that you know. hopefully there is some karma in there.
i have an obstacle course run in two weeks that i have done absolutely nothing to prepare for it. 3 miles. 11 obstacles. mud.
am i likely to have fun? probably.
am i likely to find other slackers as unprepared as i am? possibly.
am i likely to want to do another one? maybe.
am i likely to complete all the challenges? probably not.
this morning, i set out to prove to myself that even without training, i would still be just fine. that i could do 20 push-ups no problem. at 7, i fell on my face in a heap of disgrace. disappointing, to put it mildly. at least i did the army crawl convincingly enough that my dog joined in. (or maybe i looked so pitiful, she just felt sorry for me. i am not going to speculate.)
what can i do in the next two weeks to get me ready for an obstacle run? any super-human tips to be able to do a pull-up by then?
**do you have any fitness confessions to make?
Monday, July 2, 2012
changing routine
it has been SO HOT here.
i have only been running three times total, including the pcec race, since the deadwood half. ugh! instead, i have been meeting my friend at lake arbor and walking around the lake (4 laps = 5 miles) twice a week. i know there is no substitute for running. i know i should get out there and put in the miles, but i barely have the energy to force myself outside as it is.
i got out my calendar and counted down the weeks until the georgetown to idaho springs half. i am in trouble!
i need some tips on how to train during the heat without a gym membership. what do you do when it is too hot to move?
i have only been running three times total, including the pcec race, since the deadwood half. ugh! instead, i have been meeting my friend at lake arbor and walking around the lake (4 laps = 5 miles) twice a week. i know there is no substitute for running. i know i should get out there and put in the miles, but i barely have the energy to force myself outside as it is.
i got out my calendar and counted down the weeks until the georgetown to idaho springs half. i am in trouble!
i need some tips on how to train during the heat without a gym membership. what do you do when it is too hot to move?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
you know what stinks about running?
besides the sweat, i mean. it's when you don't have natural ability.
a few days ago it was m's first half marathon. and she smoked me. she made running appear easy. while i am happy for her ...and her long gorgeous legs... i am jealous. she started running a month ago. one month. and she smoked me. easily.
i will be the first one to admit that i am inconsistent with training. but i should have the base and background to keep up with someone who started a month ago.
it is incredibly disheartening that i can't.
a few days ago it was m's first half marathon. and she smoked me. she made running appear easy. while i am happy for her ...and her long gorgeous legs... i am jealous. she started running a month ago. one month. and she smoked me. easily.
i will be the first one to admit that i am inconsistent with training. but i should have the base and background to keep up with someone who started a month ago.
it is incredibly disheartening that i can't.
Monday, June 4, 2012
deadwood mickelson trail half-marathon update
this was my first run that i completed without wearing mascara. i survived. i don't recommend it.
the alarm went off at 4:30 and i was not ready to get up. the night before, i slept awful. awful. but i got up and got ready. i ate breakfast (orange juice, v8, blueberry bagel with butter, a banana). m came over and we drove up to the race bus.
the race bus took us to the start line (my sister-in-law j was on the same bus as us). at the start line, we did the porta-potty thing, grabbed some fuel (bananas and bagels) to carry with us and stood around waiting. i ran into several old friends, including my friend t.
the start was great! it was a little different than last year with the placement of the running pace signs, but overall, i liked it. we agreed to walk the first mile before starting to run. guess what? we did!!! i actually stuck to my plan for once! m and i didn't talk much. both of us were listening to music, but it was nice to have companionship. the weather was perfect.
i started to run out of steam at about mile 9. instead of running 2 minutes, walking 1, i was running 1 minute, walking 2. not sure if it was the heat or what, but check out how red my [mascara-less] face was. i could tell i was holding m back. i told her if she needed to to go on ahead but she stayed with me.
at mile 11, m took off and i finished alone. the last 2 miles went by pretty quickly. the nice thing about m going on ahead was that she was there at the finish line to take pictures of me. it probably should have been the other way around since this was her first half marathon, but oh well. :) it's all about me, people.
m's time was 2:53:34, which is a 13:15 minute mile. awesome job! mine was 2:59:25, a 13:42 minute mile. crazy the difference 30 seconds over time will make. last year, my time at this half was 3:34 so i was happy to break the 3 hour mark. by the way, have i mentioned how much i like medals? yeah, i like them.
i think this is the best i have felt after any half. yay, progress.
the alarm went off at 4:30 and i was not ready to get up. the night before, i slept awful. awful. but i got up and got ready. i ate breakfast (orange juice, v8, blueberry bagel with butter, a banana). m came over and we drove up to the race bus.
the race bus took us to the start line (my sister-in-law j was on the same bus as us). at the start line, we did the porta-potty thing, grabbed some fuel (bananas and bagels) to carry with us and stood around waiting. i ran into several old friends, including my friend t.
the start was great! it was a little different than last year with the placement of the running pace signs, but overall, i liked it. we agreed to walk the first mile before starting to run. guess what? we did!!! i actually stuck to my plan for once! m and i didn't talk much. both of us were listening to music, but it was nice to have companionship. the weather was perfect.
i started to run out of steam at about mile 9. instead of running 2 minutes, walking 1, i was running 1 minute, walking 2. not sure if it was the heat or what, but check out how red my [mascara-less] face was. i could tell i was holding m back. i told her if she needed to to go on ahead but she stayed with me.
at mile 11, m took off and i finished alone. the last 2 miles went by pretty quickly. the nice thing about m going on ahead was that she was there at the finish line to take pictures of me. it probably should have been the other way around since this was her first half marathon, but oh well. :) it's all about me, people.
m's time was 2:53:34, which is a 13:15 minute mile. awesome job! mine was 2:59:25, a 13:42 minute mile. crazy the difference 30 seconds over time will make. last year, my time at this half was 3:34 so i was happy to break the 3 hour mark. by the way, have i mentioned how much i like medals? yeah, i like them.
i think this is the best i have felt after any half. yay, progress.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
colfax half-marathon update
do you ever wonder what the f*ck you were thinking when you signed up for a race? (yes, i know this is a christian blog, but seriously? sometimes an eff-bomb feels good.)
when i went to bed on saturday, i wasn't sure i was going to participate in this race. in fact, i didn't even set my clothes out. may 20th is the two-year anniversary of my dad's death and i was feeling pretty emotional. actually, the whole month has been pretty difficult, emotionally and physically.
my alarm woke me up at 4:10. i turned it off and decided i wasn't going to go; i laid in bed and cried. by 4:30, i drug myself out of bed to shower and get ready. my dad would not want me to use him as an excuse not to complete something i had committed to. i wanted to be down at the start line by 5:35, but because i wasn't prepared, i didn't get there until 5:55. luckily, it ended up being the perfect time. the race started at 6 and my corral (g) started at about 6:10.
this half-marathon was a humbling experience for me.
you know how when you decide to walk, any running you do is a bonus? well, i decided to walk the whole thing. i started out with a group that was walking. it was a slow, sustainable pace and would finish before the four hour cut-off.
ten minutes into the walk, i started running. it was not something that i decided - it just happened. i was not running fast, but i was not walking anymore. after that, the first six miles became a blur. i was alone inside my head thinking about my dad.
at mile seven, i sat down on the sidewalk and bawled. several people asked me if i was okay and if i needed a medic. i replied (while crying) 'no, i'll be okay. my dad died. i'm going to finish, i just need a minute.' i was vaguely aware of their faces as they moved on. i am sure they thought it was weird (ahem, awful, ahem) that i was out there running a race, not realizing that i was actually talking about a two year anniversary. thank you to anyone who stopped and made sure i was okay! after, i don't know, 15 or so minutes i was calm enough to get up and run again.
the rest of the course, i was more aware of my surroundings. i waved to all the spectators, volunteers and police officers along the way. there were a lot. the course took us in and through a firestation, getting high fives from all the firefighters. there was also a cute motorcycle parade around mile ten. some elvis impersonators at mile eleven. i think i missed most of the 'sites' that this run is known for in the beginning of the race.
i was passed by about twenty people, who were walking when i was running. apparently, some people can WALK faster than i can RUN. how's that for humbling? :)
at mile twelve, i stopped running. pretty abruptly because the person behind me almost ran into me. (sorry about that, dude!) lots of people were encouraging, saying 'almost there' or 'just one more mile', but i was pooped. all that angst or sorrow or whatever energy had disappeared.
when there was .1 mile left, the marathoners joined us half-marthoners to the finish. yet another humbling experience to realize that they doubled the amount of miles i ran, but in the same amount of time. yikes. i ran to the finish line and received my finishers medal. i really am a fan of races that give out medals.
the clock time was 3:20, but my official chip time was 3:09:03. i honestly can't believe that this run was slower than the platte river half when i ran all of it but first ten minute and the last mile. oh, well. i guess my focus was not on time or pace. this race felt... not easier, but perhaps, took less concentration?
anyway, dad, i hope i made you proud.
when i went to bed on saturday, i wasn't sure i was going to participate in this race. in fact, i didn't even set my clothes out. may 20th is the two-year anniversary of my dad's death and i was feeling pretty emotional. actually, the whole month has been pretty difficult, emotionally and physically.
my alarm woke me up at 4:10. i turned it off and decided i wasn't going to go; i laid in bed and cried. by 4:30, i drug myself out of bed to shower and get ready. my dad would not want me to use him as an excuse not to complete something i had committed to. i wanted to be down at the start line by 5:35, but because i wasn't prepared, i didn't get there until 5:55. luckily, it ended up being the perfect time. the race started at 6 and my corral (g) started at about 6:10.
this half-marathon was a humbling experience for me.
you know how when you decide to walk, any running you do is a bonus? well, i decided to walk the whole thing. i started out with a group that was walking. it was a slow, sustainable pace and would finish before the four hour cut-off.
ten minutes into the walk, i started running. it was not something that i decided - it just happened. i was not running fast, but i was not walking anymore. after that, the first six miles became a blur. i was alone inside my head thinking about my dad.
at mile seven, i sat down on the sidewalk and bawled. several people asked me if i was okay and if i needed a medic. i replied (while crying) 'no, i'll be okay. my dad died. i'm going to finish, i just need a minute.' i was vaguely aware of their faces as they moved on. i am sure they thought it was weird (ahem, awful, ahem) that i was out there running a race, not realizing that i was actually talking about a two year anniversary. thank you to anyone who stopped and made sure i was okay! after, i don't know, 15 or so minutes i was calm enough to get up and run again.
the rest of the course, i was more aware of my surroundings. i waved to all the spectators, volunteers and police officers along the way. there were a lot. the course took us in and through a firestation, getting high fives from all the firefighters. there was also a cute motorcycle parade around mile ten. some elvis impersonators at mile eleven. i think i missed most of the 'sites' that this run is known for in the beginning of the race.
i was passed by about twenty people, who were walking when i was running. apparently, some people can WALK faster than i can RUN. how's that for humbling? :)
at mile twelve, i stopped running. pretty abruptly because the person behind me almost ran into me. (sorry about that, dude!) lots of people were encouraging, saying 'almost there' or 'just one more mile', but i was pooped. all that angst or sorrow or whatever energy had disappeared.
when there was .1 mile left, the marathoners joined us half-marthoners to the finish. yet another humbling experience to realize that they doubled the amount of miles i ran, but in the same amount of time. yikes. i ran to the finish line and received my finishers medal. i really am a fan of races that give out medals.
the clock time was 3:20, but my official chip time was 3:09:03. i honestly can't believe that this run was slower than the platte river half when i ran all of it but first ten minute and the last mile. oh, well. i guess my focus was not on time or pace. this race felt... not easier, but perhaps, took less concentration?
anyway, dad, i hope i made you proud.
Friday, May 18, 2012
running for enjoyment
wait... what?
running, just because you enjoy running? i don't think i have ever done that. not once. i run for the challenge of finishing a certain distance. i run because it is mentally hard. i do not enjoy it. i have never gotten a 'runner's high'.
running for enjoyment. what's that like?
running, just because you enjoy running? i don't think i have ever done that. not once. i run for the challenge of finishing a certain distance. i run because it is mentally hard. i do not enjoy it. i have never gotten a 'runner's high'.
running for enjoyment. what's that like?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
offering advice
you're a decent runner. you know it, and so do all your friends.
except, well... you stink at running.
sure, you get out there and run a race. sure, you show off the medals you've earned. sure, you talk about the next race you are 'training' for. when it comes up in conversation, you lie and say running rocks, and offer advice to your unsuspecting friends, but it's time to admit the truth. (go on, you are not alone.)
okay, maybe it's just me and i am all alone.
whatever.
i have joined a friend as she starts the 'couch to 5k' program. supposedly for moral support. supposedly to coach her. but it's time for me to admit that i am not the seasoned runner i pass myself off to be. i struggle. this blog has chronicled HOW MUCH i struggle. we are on week 2 and i find myself watching the clock to see when i can stop running to take a walk break.
it seems like maybe i need to stop reading about speed work/hills/farklets and get back to the basics. just running.
except, well... you stink at running.
sure, you get out there and run a race. sure, you show off the medals you've earned. sure, you talk about the next race you are 'training' for. when it comes up in conversation, you lie and say running rocks, and offer advice to your unsuspecting friends, but it's time to admit the truth. (go on, you are not alone.)
okay, maybe it's just me and i am all alone.
whatever.
i have joined a friend as she starts the 'couch to 5k' program. supposedly for moral support. supposedly to coach her. but it's time for me to admit that i am not the seasoned runner i pass myself off to be. i struggle. this blog has chronicled HOW MUCH i struggle. we are on week 2 and i find myself watching the clock to see when i can stop running to take a walk break.
it seems like maybe i need to stop reading about speed work/hills/farklets and get back to the basics. just running.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
back to the beginning
my weight is exactly where it was 2 years ago. exactly. why was i able to maintain all last year, but struggle with gaining this year? i am up another 3 pounds from here.
i bet it has something to do with my food choices.
the nice thing about logging my food is that i can see trends. normally, i am pretty proud of my trends. not so much right now.
my top food list includes:
Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Iced Glazed Donut
Oregon Chai Tea
Pacific Gold Turkey Jerky
Claussen Pickle
Campbell's V8 Original Vegetable Juice
Idahoan Instant Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes
Kraft Mac and Cheese
French Bread
Dipping Oil with Spices
Mexican Restaurant Order of Chips and Salsa
Restaurant Fruit and Cheese Plate
Restaurant Blue Cheese Dressing
McDonald's Filet of Fish Sandwich
Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza
Smashburger Sweet Potato Fries
Eel and Avocado Sushi Roll
Taco John's Apple Grande
Moscato Wine
what happened to my veggies? my fruit? my healthy dairy? instead, i have been snacking and eating out. and gaining weight.
i bet it has something to do with my food choices.
the nice thing about logging my food is that i can see trends. normally, i am pretty proud of my trends. not so much right now.
my top food list includes:
Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Iced Glazed Donut
Oregon Chai Tea
Pacific Gold Turkey Jerky
Claussen Pickle
Campbell's V8 Original Vegetable Juice
Idahoan Instant Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes
Kraft Mac and Cheese
French Bread
Dipping Oil with Spices
Mexican Restaurant Order of Chips and Salsa
Restaurant Fruit and Cheese Plate
Restaurant Blue Cheese Dressing
McDonald's Filet of Fish Sandwich
Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza
Smashburger Sweet Potato Fries
Eel and Avocado Sushi Roll
Taco John's Apple Grande
Moscato Wine
what happened to my veggies? my fruit? my healthy dairy? instead, i have been snacking and eating out. and gaining weight.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
am i a 'real' runner?
even though i use running/walking intervals, i still feel like a runner.
i didn't use to think that way. back when i started three years ago, i thought being a real runner meant running all the way. i am not sure what changed my mind. time, maybe. the effort i have put in to get to where i am now.
there are a lot of people that think being a runner means no walking breaks. i wonder what conditions us to think that way?
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” ~John Bingham
i will never be an elite athlete. i will never run the boston marathon. i will never compete in an ironman. that is not my goal or my intention. but in my mind, i am a runner. taking walk breaks and all.
**what do you think? do i get to claim the 'runner' status if i use running/walking intervals? (i will not be offended if you say no. i want real opinions.)
i didn't use to think that way. back when i started three years ago, i thought being a real runner meant running all the way. i am not sure what changed my mind. time, maybe. the effort i have put in to get to where i am now.
there are a lot of people that think being a runner means no walking breaks. i wonder what conditions us to think that way?
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” ~John Bingham
i will never be an elite athlete. i will never run the boston marathon. i will never compete in an ironman. that is not my goal or my intention. but in my mind, i am a runner. taking walk breaks and all.
**what do you think? do i get to claim the 'runner' status if i use running/walking intervals? (i will not be offended if you say no. i want real opinions.)
Sunday, April 22, 2012
setbacks
setbacks happen.
like last year, when i sign up for a half-marathon and start training, only to find out that i would be having abdominal surgery 2 months before the event and couldn't run for 6 weeks after surgery. it stinks, but i coped. i changed my goals to walking it instead of running it. after all, it was out of my control.
unlike last year, my setbacks this year have been more mental than physical. skipping a long run because of laziness. shrugging off a short run because of business. pretending it doesn't matter if i don't log the miles.
it does.
this last week, i have been down and out with a cold. the whole week. mentally, i have been chomping at the bit to get outside and run; physically, my body is betraying me. it makes me wonder why i allowed myself to slack off when i was feeling well. why didn't i take advantage of that time?
like last year, when i sign up for a half-marathon and start training, only to find out that i would be having abdominal surgery 2 months before the event and couldn't run for 6 weeks after surgery. it stinks, but i coped. i changed my goals to walking it instead of running it. after all, it was out of my control.
unlike last year, my setbacks this year have been more mental than physical. skipping a long run because of laziness. shrugging off a short run because of business. pretending it doesn't matter if i don't log the miles.
it does.
this last week, i have been down and out with a cold. the whole week. mentally, i have been chomping at the bit to get outside and run; physically, my body is betraying me. it makes me wonder why i allowed myself to slack off when i was feeling well. why didn't i take advantage of that time?
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
post race massage
i love a relaxing massage.
my husband knows how much i love massages. to get out of doing it himself, he bought me a yearlong membership to monthly massages at massage envy. it was one of the best gifts he could ever give me.
did i mention how much i love a relaxing massage? it's even better after a long run.
my husband knows how much i love massages. to get out of doing it himself, he bought me a yearlong membership to monthly massages at massage envy. it was one of the best gifts he could ever give me.
did i mention how much i love a relaxing massage? it's even better after a long run.
Monday, April 16, 2012
platte river half-marathon update
5:40 - beep, beep, beep. it's the annoying machine telling me that's it's time to start my day. i can't say i hopped out of bed, but i hadn't really been sleeping anyway.
6:30 - time to leave the house. i think i have everything i need - hat, m&m's, water bottle, race bib. (i realize later i forgot gloves. awesome. luckily, 't' had an extra pair in her car.) i have not been training with a hat but if it rains, i will need it, so i wear it and pretend to like it. there is snow on the ground, but the sky is clear. i eat strawberries and a peanut butter cookie in the car. i should eat more, but my stomach is a nervous wreck.
7:00 - roller hockey championship game for oldest son. they win. he is awarded 'highest scorer' plaque.
8:30 - i meet my friends at the race start. we are so cute. (by the way, i forgot my timing chip in the car and had to run back for it.) it's cold, but there is no rain.
9:00 - race start. i have been training with the jeff galloway method of running 2 minutes, walking 1. i start off with 'm' in the third wave, but she is much faster than me and running continuously. 't', 'r' and 'e' were in the second wave. i keep up with 'm' for the first mile, but can't continue that. thanks 'm' for keeping me company.
mile 1 - i feel good but i am not sticking to my plan and i know i am going to regret it later.
mile 2 - water station! i've already polished off my bottle so i get a refill. i keep my eye on a girl doing a walk/run method. we are about the same pace and keep passing each other.
mile 3 - it is hot. i am cursing the extra layers i put on. i pull off my gloves. i pull out my baggie of m&m's and eat 10. yes, i counted.
mile 4 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again so i get another refill. i meet my pacer girl 'g'. we decide to run together, but she wants to run without walking. i agree. (in the back of my mind, i'm thinking it's a terrible idea. why don't i ever listen to myself?) the wind is blowing against us and provides a nice breeze.
mile 5 - not much memorable about mile 5. i think i still felt pretty good.
mile 6 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again. (see a pattern here? foreshadowing.) this station has girls scouts handing out thin mints. i take one, get a refill on my water and eat 10 more m&m's. the wind is getting old.
mile 7 - i hate the wind. seriously. plus it is starting to get cold again. i put back on my gloves. 'g' and i go back to run/walk.
mile 8 - water station! pottty break! i need another water refill. this station has gu, which i grab but do not use since i've never tried it before. 'g' goes ahead while i use the facilities, but i catch up. the wind has really picked up. my face feels sunburnt. it's not though - it's from the wind.
mile 9 - i'm cold, i'm sick of the wind and i am ready to be done. i eat 21 more m&m's. i ask 'g' to just walk this mile.
mile 10 - water station! i fill my water bottle and debate using the porta-potty. i decide to hold it. i really shouldn't have drank all that water at the beginning. i am feeling the regret of too much water and not enough walking breaks. oh yes i am. the wind blows off my hat and i get to repeat a part of the trail as i go after it. awesome. 'g' wants to get back to running, but i can't so she goes on ahead. thanks 'g' for keeping me company.
mile 11 - lovely wind. lovely rain. lovely uphill path. lovely feeling of needing to pee. the rain isn't a downpour; it's just enough to be annoying. i run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds for a while, but i am just too tired to keep it up. i decide to walk. my hat blows off again. and again. and a third time. i get to chase it each time. dang it! i thought i was done with running! the last tenth of a mile has tons of motivational posters that bring tears to my eyes. it is not because i am miserable and want to quit. *that is my story and i'm sticking to it*
mile 12 - water station! another potty break! at least there is no line. (i had a tough time standing back up though.) i eat 10 m&m's. my hips hurt. i hate life in general and running in particular. at least the rain quit. but the wind. the wind is against me. literally.
mile 12.8 - i feel this particular hill deserves its own update. hill. very, very steep hill. oh, and i lose my hat and get to chase it again. at least i am going downhill for a few moments... but wait, i have to walk back up.
mile 13 - i try to run from this point on, but i just don't have anything left. i wait until until they announce my name at the finish line before sprinting the last 20 or so seconds. my friends are cheering for me (they all finished about an hour earlier), and i see the hubby and kids. success! i got my medal and the pain went away for, like, 1.2 seconds. (see the smile?)
the official time was 3 hours, 4 minutes. i was hoping to finish with a better time, but 1) i didn't follow my plan for walking breaks (which helps me run faster while feeling more refreshed); 2) i fell behind in my training by three weeks; 3) i did not do enough of my longer runs outside and my hips could tell; 4) the wind (i am not making excuses. much.); 5) although i ate well the night before, i think my fuel was a little bit lacking; 6) i was genuinely tired from being up so early.
oh, and i will never run with a hat again. grrr!
6:30 - time to leave the house. i think i have everything i need - hat, m&m's, water bottle, race bib. (i realize later i forgot gloves. awesome. luckily, 't' had an extra pair in her car.) i have not been training with a hat but if it rains, i will need it, so i wear it and pretend to like it. there is snow on the ground, but the sky is clear. i eat strawberries and a peanut butter cookie in the car. i should eat more, but my stomach is a nervous wreck.
7:00 - roller hockey championship game for oldest son. they win. he is awarded 'highest scorer' plaque.
8:30 - i meet my friends at the race start. we are so cute. (by the way, i forgot my timing chip in the car and had to run back for it.) it's cold, but there is no rain.
9:00 - race start. i have been training with the jeff galloway method of running 2 minutes, walking 1. i start off with 'm' in the third wave, but she is much faster than me and running continuously. 't', 'r' and 'e' were in the second wave. i keep up with 'm' for the first mile, but can't continue that. thanks 'm' for keeping me company.
mile 1 - i feel good but i am not sticking to my plan and i know i am going to regret it later.
mile 2 - water station! i've already polished off my bottle so i get a refill. i keep my eye on a girl doing a walk/run method. we are about the same pace and keep passing each other.
mile 3 - it is hot. i am cursing the extra layers i put on. i pull off my gloves. i pull out my baggie of m&m's and eat 10. yes, i counted.
mile 4 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again so i get another refill. i meet my pacer girl 'g'. we decide to run together, but she wants to run without walking. i agree. (in the back of my mind, i'm thinking it's a terrible idea. why don't i ever listen to myself?) the wind is blowing against us and provides a nice breeze.
mile 5 - not much memorable about mile 5. i think i still felt pretty good.
mile 6 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again. (see a pattern here? foreshadowing.) this station has girls scouts handing out thin mints. i take one, get a refill on my water and eat 10 more m&m's. the wind is getting old.
mile 7 - i hate the wind. seriously. plus it is starting to get cold again. i put back on my gloves. 'g' and i go back to run/walk.
mile 8 - water station! pottty break! i need another water refill. this station has gu, which i grab but do not use since i've never tried it before. 'g' goes ahead while i use the facilities, but i catch up. the wind has really picked up. my face feels sunburnt. it's not though - it's from the wind.
mile 9 - i'm cold, i'm sick of the wind and i am ready to be done. i eat 21 more m&m's. i ask 'g' to just walk this mile.
mile 10 - water station! i fill my water bottle and debate using the porta-potty. i decide to hold it. i really shouldn't have drank all that water at the beginning. i am feeling the regret of too much water and not enough walking breaks. oh yes i am. the wind blows off my hat and i get to repeat a part of the trail as i go after it. awesome. 'g' wants to get back to running, but i can't so she goes on ahead. thanks 'g' for keeping me company.
mile 11 - lovely wind. lovely rain. lovely uphill path. lovely feeling of needing to pee. the rain isn't a downpour; it's just enough to be annoying. i run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds for a while, but i am just too tired to keep it up. i decide to walk. my hat blows off again. and again. and a third time. i get to chase it each time. dang it! i thought i was done with running! the last tenth of a mile has tons of motivational posters that bring tears to my eyes. it is not because i am miserable and want to quit. *that is my story and i'm sticking to it*
mile 12 - water station! another potty break! at least there is no line. (i had a tough time standing back up though.) i eat 10 m&m's. my hips hurt. i hate life in general and running in particular. at least the rain quit. but the wind. the wind is against me. literally.
mile 12.8 - i feel this particular hill deserves its own update. hill. very, very steep hill. oh, and i lose my hat and get to chase it again. at least i am going downhill for a few moments... but wait, i have to walk back up.
mile 13 - i try to run from this point on, but i just don't have anything left. i wait until until they announce my name at the finish line before sprinting the last 20 or so seconds. my friends are cheering for me (they all finished about an hour earlier), and i see the hubby and kids. success! i got my medal and the pain went away for, like, 1.2 seconds. (see the smile?)
the official time was 3 hours, 4 minutes. i was hoping to finish with a better time, but 1) i didn't follow my plan for walking breaks (which helps me run faster while feeling more refreshed); 2) i fell behind in my training by three weeks; 3) i did not do enough of my longer runs outside and my hips could tell; 4) the wind (i am not making excuses. much.); 5) although i ate well the night before, i think my fuel was a little bit lacking; 6) i was genuinely tired from being up so early.
oh, and i will never run with a hat again. grrr!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
holidays
happy easter! our King has risen.
thank you Lord for your mercy and kindness. we really don't appreciate it as much as we should.
thank you Lord for your mercy and kindness. we really don't appreciate it as much as we should.
Monday, March 12, 2012
daylight saving time
hubby took the boys to school for me today so i could sleep in. unfortunately, i couldn't sleep. i hate the switch to daylight saving time. i understand why we do it, but i don't have to like it.
do you like to spring ahead or fall back? or do you wish we didn't change the time?
do you like to spring ahead or fall back? or do you wish we didn't change the time?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
roller hockey
i spent 4 hours in a row sitting on my bum today. not because i am lazy, but because my boys had 4 roller hockey games. one would think after 4 hours of sitting around, i would be ready to move, but i feel exhausted. it this some kind of voodoo roller hockey energy sap?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
long run
last week while my husband, brother and sister-in-law where up partying with friends, i went to bed early so i could get up and complete my long run. it was supposed to be 5 miles, and i got to 4.68 before my time was up. i was pretty happy with that.
this week is 6.5 miles and i am procrastinating. why am i procrastinating when i know it will feel so good once i am done? i wish i knew the answer to that.
Lord, help me this lent as i am preparing for your death and resurrection to put the procrastination behind me. help me to rise above.
this week is 6.5 miles and i am procrastinating. why am i procrastinating when i know it will feel so good once i am done? i wish i knew the answer to that.
Lord, help me this lent as i am preparing for your death and resurrection to put the procrastination behind me. help me to rise above.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
preparing for lent
yesterday was fat tuesday. we indulged all day. polish paczki for breakfast. italian for lunch. pie for dessert. sushi for supper. it was decadent. it was over-the-top. it was tradition.
today is ash wednesday, a day of fasting. preparing our hearts and minds for easter. i love this time in the church. i love the sacrifice i can do during lent to show my commitment to Christ. i love how he takes my weakness and makes me rely on him more. i wish i could be this focused all the time, but i fall short and become distracted. i am glad i have a yearly reminder of God's goodness and mercy to me.
today is ash wednesday, a day of fasting. preparing our hearts and minds for easter. i love this time in the church. i love the sacrifice i can do during lent to show my commitment to Christ. i love how he takes my weakness and makes me rely on him more. i wish i could be this focused all the time, but i fall short and become distracted. i am glad i have a yearly reminder of God's goodness and mercy to me.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
things that make you go hmmm...
my boys don't like chocolate. they have each come to this conclusion on their own. they resist chocolate toppings, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate candy bars. that is not to say they don't have a sweet tooth, because they love candy and soda. chocolate just isn't their thing.
chocolate isn't really my thing either. i appreciate a good chocolate truffle occasionally or snacking on a few triangles of a toblerone. i'll eat a few chocolate covered cherries at christmas and i like splitting a kitkat bar or a butterfinger at halloween. for the most part, i can take it or leave it.
but on valentine's day, i crave chocolate. C R A V E with a capital C. why is that? it that something i've trained myself to need on this one day? if i don't really want chocolate of any other day, why must i have it today?
this is the first year i have been able to turn the box of chocolates down. i feel proud of myself for that. i also feel slightly sick about missing out, like i will never get another sweet treat in my life. what a funny thought when chocolate is so easy to come by.
chocolate isn't really my thing either. i appreciate a good chocolate truffle occasionally or snacking on a few triangles of a toblerone. i'll eat a few chocolate covered cherries at christmas and i like splitting a kitkat bar or a butterfinger at halloween. for the most part, i can take it or leave it.
but on valentine's day, i crave chocolate. C R A V E with a capital C. why is that? it that something i've trained myself to need on this one day? if i don't really want chocolate of any other day, why must i have it today?
this is the first year i have been able to turn the box of chocolates down. i feel proud of myself for that. i also feel slightly sick about missing out, like i will never get another sweet treat in my life. what a funny thought when chocolate is so easy to come by.
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